D-League showcase coming to Fayetteville

December 16, 2005 - NBA G League (G League)
Fayetteville Patriots News Release


FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. December 16 - Some of the most influential people in the National Basketball Association will be in Fayetteville as the Fayetteville Patriots host the NBA Development League's annual showcase Jan. 15-16, 2006 at the Crown Coliseum.

All eight D-League teams - the Florida Flame, the Roanoke Dazzle, the Arkansas RimRockers, the Tulsa 66ers, the Fort Worth Flyers, the Austin Toros, the Albuquerque T-Birds and the Patriots - will take part in the event, designed to allow all of the D-League players a chance to be seen by as many of the NBA's personnel decision-makers as possible. Each D-League team will play one game each day of the Showcase. All NBA general managers, personnel directors, operations managers and scouts are invited and many are expected to attend. In addition, large crowds are expected due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on Jan. 16.

"It's great exposure for us with all 30 NBA teams represented," said Patriots coach Mike Brown. "It's an opportunity for all 80 D-League guys to be seen and a chance for the NBA guys to see every player more than once. It's like one-stop shopping. It's a great opportunity for the NBA to see our community as well."

All eight games of the Showcase will be televised nationally on NBA TV.

The D-League has planned a variety of activities and arranged several opportunities for NBA guests to experience the true nature of Fayetteville and the North Carolina Sandhills.

- NBA General Managers will be hosted by Pinehurst Resorts president Don Padgett for a golf outing at the famed course, Pinehurst No. 2.

- All guests will have the chance to experience special weapons training on the jump tower with 82nd Airborne troops at Ft. Bragg.

- The Patriots and Ft. Bragg will also team up to host a VIP reception at Sports USA

In addition, D-League officials will take the opportunity to address the players with a number of seminars on topics such as finances, health and nutrition, life as a professional athlete, dealing with the media, and others.

The Showcase is expected to be an educational and entertaining event, full of opportunity for players, team decision-makers, the D-League, media members and, of course, the fans. All credential requests should be directed to the NBA D-League offices at (864) 248-1108.

The D-League offers players the opportunity to develop their talent in a highly competitive atmosphere under the NBA's umbrella. Thirty-four (34) players have been called up to the NBA on 50 separate occasions. Ten (10) former D-League coaches, five athletic trainers, 11 referees and 30 front office executives have also been called up since the start of the league's inaugural season in November 2001.

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. The D-League is a source of on-court talent for the NBA's 30 teams and is a diverse human resources pool for the NBA and its teams by training employees in management, operations, public relations, sales and marketing positions.

The NBA Dream Starts Here

D-League Showcase Lineup

Sunday, Jan. 15

Austin vs Arkansas 11:00 a.m.

Tulsa vs Albuquerque 2:00 p.m.

Florida vs Fayetteville 5:00 p.m.

Roanoke vs Ft. Worth 8:00 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 16

Albuquerque vs Austin 11:00 a.m.

Arkansas vs Florida 2:00 p.m.

Ft. Worth vs Tulsa 5:00 p.m.

Fayetteville vs Roanoke 8:00 p.m.



NBA G League Stories from December 16, 2005


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